GFP Director Retires After 44 Years, Female Successor Announced

Katie Ceroll has become the new division director of parks and recreation following Doug Hofer’s retirement.

The state of South Dakota has announced that Katie Ceroll has taken over for retiring director of parks and recreation. Outgoing director, Doug Hofer, began working in the public services in 1972, and after 44 years, is retiring as of early April.

Ceroll, who officially took over as director of parks and recreation on April 4th, is excited to bring new energy and ideas as Hofer retires.

South Dakota GFP

In a public statement, GFP department secretary, Kelly Hepler, introduced Ceroll as the new director. Ceroll, who previously held a naturalist position at the Fort Sisseton State Park, is a native of Beresford, SD and studied history and political science at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated in 2007 before returning back to South Dakota, as reported by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.

Ceroll issued her own statement saying, “I am honored and humbled to lead the Division of Parks and Recreation for the state of South Dakota. This is an opportunity unlike any other. I look forward to bringing new ideas to the table and addressing the challenges we face in a way that aligns with our park management plans and our strategic vision to where we want to be in the years ahead.”